A Few Thoughts On my First 24 Hour Event

Just a little over a week away from my first 24 hour race - I'm very excited about - perhaps more so than any ultra I've run to date. The mental challenge of running over a set course is part of it, although it is a 1 mile loop through a scenic state park - many 24 hour races are held on a traditional quarter mile track - now that takes a very strong mental constitution. Another factor - and this may be the largest part - is the freedom within the structure provided. It's entirely up to the runner what mileage they fill that time frame with - from 1 mile to 100+. Of course I wish for many miles - my main goal is to reach a distance PR (63+) and this should be doable simply by staying on the course for the entire 24 hours. Anything over 70 and I will be satisfied, 80+ and I will be thrilled. Anything above that I don't think my brain has processed yet. Simply running until I am out of time is a worthy goal. Running happy - of course - trumps all else.

Peace,
Eric

Ultra Running and Detachment

Detachment plays a vital role in ultra running - yes we need the desire and drive to train for events, to push through the hard times and continue going - yet without detachment we become too caught up in what each moment offers and lose sight that no moment (or what's contained within the moment) will last. Detachment offers freedom. Our desires remain intact but we have the freedom to maneuver around them instead of being manipulated by them. Placing demands on the body during a race becomes an ego game and will often leave us burned out and unable to finish a given race. A preference however means that while we are still driven towards a particular outcome - we are no longer attached to it's achievement. Detachment means that we are aligned with present circumstances and our surroundings - there is no wasted energy on placing demands on things beyond our control. To stay in alignment we allow ourselves the emotional space to shift when needed, to make necessary changes when we must and stay in motion when we are able. In Ultra running this means forward progress.

Any Low Mileage Ultrarunners Out There?

I love to run - obviously - but not so obvious is how that fits into my thoughts right now on reducing training mileage in the near future. I have never worked up to terribly high mileage - I think peaking at around 90 miles while training for the C&O 100 - and usually while training for a race I seldom go past 80 miles. Right now I'm thinking of a more flexible approach where the mileage would vary yet top out for training in the low 60s to mid 50s. I'm looking for strength in my training and longevity - even though I felt fine hitting 90 miles in a week - I knew it wasn't sustainable and that a long recovery would follow. My plan is to race often - from 5k to 50 miles and use the racing to push for bigger mileage races - ultimately at least two 100 milers this year. Maybe more. It's been done and it's being done - I'm interested in learning more. If anyone would like to share their stories on low mileage training and frequent racing please do. Thanks!

Peace,
Eric

Running With Forgiveness

Forgiveness and running - a stream of becoming. With forgiveness comes rebirth and we no longer run with the previous mind or body. Aches and pains may still exist - yet we no longer run with them as obstacles to be overcome but opportunities to learn about our body and how we respond to what limits we may be faced with. Forgiveness brings freedom. No run is judged by performance - ego aside - we run in a holy space free of attachments to all of what we may have ever wished for from our running. Running simply is - forgiveness erases the concept of past so every moment given to motion we are reborn to run in original innocence. There is an art to forgiveness and running becomes a vehicle of it's expression. We run to become artist - the road and trail our canvass.

Peace,
Eric

Bliss

Bliss - happiness beyond apparent reason. We are divinely aware of God's presence in this state, we experience a kinship with all life. This is a moment expressed in deep meditation. It's what I aspire towards and ironically it is only available when we surrender goals, agendas, and aspirations. It's beyond all these things - it a of grace and inspiration. A paradox - if we don't attempt to find bliss it remains far and if we do strive for blissful states we drive it further from our reach. And as in all paradoxes the answer lies in a willing surrender to something greater than ourselves - and in this state - we find bliss.

Peace,
Eric

Nothing Seems The Same

There was a moment when
You whispered –
"Turn to me"
I turned…and now nothing seems
The same.

The world turned with me.

 

 

`

 

We will be called upon. God, the Universe, the Tao....something will whisper in our ear or tap us on the shoulder and tell us - "it's time." And from this moment on nothing will be the same and yet still - things will be no different. Except our smile will hold a mystery.

 

 

Peace,

Eric



Least Effort

My meditation flows best when I cease to struggle, relax and simply listen to the mantra playing through my mind. When thoughts distract - repeat above instructions. Running is most enjoyable when I quit struggling with expectations of time and distance. When I run - simply run - I run my best. There is a theme here - the law of least effort.

Peace,
Eric

Instructions To Myself

Morning and late afternoon meditation - mantra based. Little effort and seeking to just let go, let go. I have a desire yet no goal. Meditation works with the law of least effort - allow the mantra to work, the mind to settle and higher consciousness to emerge. Hard effort spoils the effect. Subtle intent spreads the desire as ripples across the pond of consciousness. Spirit responds.

Peace,
Eric

Final Gift

And after all, perhaps the final
gift is tenderness.
The faith to love on the
edge of broken parts.
Faith...when all we have is
no clear end,
only the ache of uncertainty.
And still we
reach
towards the jagged edge that's
sure to cut and we bleed
our touch in a tender
offering of
hope,
despair, and maybe something
more we can't name,
but know in silent
moments.
Perhaps the final gift is not
blood...but our
ability to
bleed and bleed
some
more when all we wish for is
dried away and still we
bleed more.
Perhaps the final gift is
this- these blood soaked
tears...when it's all we have to

offer

~

 

For all those who have loved, and continue to love through the pain of loss and the anguish of continuing in the face of only more to come. To love is to honor who we are - our true self that knows that loss is a brief illusion and a moment spent together a glimpse into eternity. This is for you.

 

Peace,

Eric

Protein, Veganism, Diet Options and Caring For Each Other

I'm always amazed (even after years) when I hear of someone reporting that a vegan diet "doesn't work", or that they quit after years of being a vegan because they suddenly discovered that they weren't getting enough protein. Really? At what point within a multiple year period would someone discover this? The World Health Organization reports that even active humans need no more than 5 to 10% of protein from their overall caloric intake. If you're eating enough - you're getting enough protein. I have thrived on a vegan diet. If after sometime I discovered that I was no longer thriving - I would certainly address the issue. Yet it's doubtful that animal protein - at the exclusion  of countless plant-based protein sources - would be the answer. The bottom line is that people quit being a vegan for the simple reason of wanting to eat meat. I'm fine with that - I just ask for some honesty in reasons being given. Eventually we will all be faced with the need for dietary change - our current model is simply unsustainable, not just for future generations but for ours as well. We are in the midst of a health crisis, our environment is in rapid decline and our agricultural process is run by big businesses with little concern for us let alone the animals they treat as commodities. We will have to change. We will need to change. Many will resist - that's the nature of change. And as it is in nature change will overcome many. With a little education, self care and compassion for beings large and small we can make this change as seamless as possible. We don't all have to be vegans. But we do all have to care for each other, and other beings and the planet. Lets start today. Right now. Simply reduce the amount of meat to smaller portions - use is as a side dish instead of the main course. Try a "meatless day" once a week. Eat vegan through the day and enjoy a well planned meal that includes meat in the evening. Or be a vegan. There are lots of options. Not caring isn't one of them.

Peace,
Eric

Drifting

drifting,

 with each and every

 breeze my life is swayed in

 new directions...yet

 untold -

until another shift of

 wind

`
I love this time of year and I especially love catching sight of a single leaf drifting in the wind - recently surrendered of self, no longer a tree and yet not less then before - a death and a birth and in between a moment of near flight playing soft amidst the breeze. Our story told in a seasons grace.

Peace,
Eric

Long Run

The long run is the back bone of any distance training plan - it's the string that ties everything else together. Speed is useless if you can't go the distance. It can also be the run that takes us the deepest spiritually as well. The slower pace allows us to soak in our surroundings and observe things we may well miss on our faster paced runs. We have a chance to commune with nature and turn inwards at the same time. With less emphasis on speed we are able to turn the mind off and allow thoughts to tumble through until we find an inner stillness  - as if the motion of our legs become a mantra for transcending thoughts. In this inner silence inspiration may whisper secrets and problems may get solved - we are open and ready for new beginnings. It is also our chance to endure - to take one more step than we may have thought possible. To reach new ground. To explore. Enjoy the long run.

Peace,
Eric

More on Spiritual Practice

In my previous post I talked about my spiritual path and it occurred to me that I could have just as easily (and as importantly) added writing and diet. Writing is very much part of spiritual life and my practice. It's done daily and often with great inspiration that can only be a direct link to something greater than myself (of which I am still part of) I have written everyday since 2001 - inspired quite a bit by Steven Pressfield's book - The War of Art. I don't think of it as a streak - it's a way of life.
My diet is my spiritual practice demonstrated. Compassion on the plate. Kindness needs to extend in all directions and shouldn't be discontinued for a momentary dinning experience. There is greater pleasure in knowing that our appetite meets our values.
When my practice(s) are aligned my life runs in smooth order - if something is not aligned it is a simple measure of taking stock of my practice and seeing what is (if ever so slightly) misaligned. True spirituality may be less about being in balance as it is about balancing. I try.

Peace,
Eric

My Spiritual Path

Here's my spiritual path:
Run. Run simply, run loose and relaxed and free of expectation of anything other than motion. Run for no other reason than the love of running - everything else, all the great aspects of running - spiritual, health, mental - will be delivered from love.
Meditate. Meditate daily. Find the path to stillness that resonates within - there is no path to this stillness - stillness is the path. Sit, breathe, surrender. If prayer is speaking to God then meditation is listening - so simply listen. The breath, the heartbeat, the silence...has many answers.
Pray. Ask for what we wish for - be grateful for what we receive. There is no distant God and our voice (inner and outer) is our connection. God does not care how we pray - only that we commune with His (Her) presence within.
Be Grateful. We are blessed. Live with this recognition.
Forgive. There are no justified resentments - each one is a link that chains us to a reactive cycle that leaves no room for peace. Forgiveness is freedom. It takes practice and lessons come daily. Practice.

Peace,
Eric

My Meditation Path

Recently my meditation has shifted focus back to Primordial Sound Meditation (PSM)  - PSM is a mantra based meditation technique that shares some similarities with Transcendental Meditation (TM) It is meant to be effortless - the power of the mantra penetrating deeply past the mundane and subtle thoughts to higher and higher states of consciousness. Concentration is not part of the equation although it will develop naturally within the practice. I have practiced PSM since 2001, along with Buddhist mindfulness and Passage Meditation. Every practice has something to offer and these three have been my mainstay. It seems time right now to devote myself to PSM and allow it to unfold through this devotion. As the practice deepens I will add in the sutra meditations that Deepak Chopra talks about in his book The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire (I love that title)
And that's where my meditation is headed these days. I hope that everyone who happens to read my blog has found a path that works for them - and devotes themselves to their own fulfillment. Thanks for reading.

Peace,
Eric

Two Sides

From my lips...

The night is torn by the
whisper of your name.

Two sides of infinity.

Distance.

And my longing to be
near you.

 

`

 Prayer...a simple utterance of a name. Prayer is what connects the Divine and our longing to return to the stillness of our being. Prayer - if only for a moment bring us home again. It's not complicated, there are no rituals needed. Simply whisper to the stillness of the night...

 

Peace,

Eric


A Little Vegan Note

I'm happy to be vegan. Almost daily it seems that I am hit with an anti-vegan sentiment - yet nothing has every caused me a moment of doubt about my commitment to my vegan lifestyle. I feel great, my running is better then ever and I am living by my ideal ethics. I wish for everyone to feel this good.

Peace,
Eric

Contemplating Walls

As if alone...

We wish for distant
hands.

Yet even walls are embraced
by the space they seek to
part.

We stand as walls before
the night...

Caressed on every
side.

 

`

 

 

My wish for you - my wish for myself - to know that we are never truly alone in a world of intimate connections. There is an illusion that holds us distant and yet space itself is so full of our connection that we can close our eyes and draw the essence of each other near. The space between is alive with all that makes us one. Know this one thing - never are you alone in a universe that loves you.

 

Peace,

Eric

Next Time

While running this morning around a local lake I witnessed a man catch a fish and casually toss it in the air to land at the feet of a companion some several yards away - where the man left it flopping on the ground, fighting for it's life. Things like this aren't easy for a vegan to see - it's a reverence for life and a sensitivity to suffering that brings many to this life style and both of these qualities only increase the longer one remains a vegan. I am sure the fisherman views himself as a good person, kind and decent and I would not say otherwise - yet we as a people have generally become so callused towards the suffering of animals (and others) that a living being literally fighting to maintain it's existence goes unnoticed. It was hard for me to not say something or take action and perhaps I should have - I've asked myself if I am as much to blame as the men fishing and the honest answer that comes to me leaves me feeling ashamed. To witness suffering and allow it to happen makes one a participant - there is no casual observation in a participatory universe. But again to be honest - I don't know what I could or should have done -all I really know that the weapon at hand were and are my words to educate and inform and hopefully plant a seed of awareness within the heart of a good man who simply did not know the capacity for other beings to suffer in the very same way we all do. Next time....

Peace,
Eric

As The Earth

Rain,
And I stand…willing
Myself as the
Earth –
Grateful in receiving.

 

`

One moment....fully realized in perfection...can mean enlightenment. Open to the moment - not the clouds of past that threaten to storm the mind nor thought of where the future lies-  just now - in the rain, or the shine of sun that falls across the shoulders - just now - open, willing, surrendering to this single moment. It's enough.

 

Peace,

Eric


Deeper Still

Your skin to
Mine –
And deeper still…our
Longing.


~

 

 

It's the reach - from soul to soul and flesh the means to find completion. Our longing - a sacred prayer for more and still again an answered prayer in its return. It's the reach - our touch embraced by the space we find between us.

 

 

Peace,

Eric

It's 9:00 AM

I love how Somerset Maugham once told a group of students that he found it most important to write when he was inspired - and that fortunately inspiration showed up at his desk every morning at 9:00. The lesson? We have to court the Muse. Inspiration strikes us blindly only because we fail to be opened to it 99 percent of the time. It is always present - a Divine attribute that we can all tap into at a moments notice. By courting the Muse we arrange our priorities to be open to her ever present whisper. We remove the walls that block Her voice from reaching us. Meditation has been essential in opening myself to inspiration - acting as a direct link that allows the Infinite to (sometimes) speak through me without the personal filters of my ego. My best writing is when I am mostly absent from the process and allow inspiration access to my fingers and the page. Through meditation the world becomes my desk and every moment 9:00 AM - the muse is always present, always whispering - my one job is to simply listen.

Peace,
Eric

The Loneliness of The Long Distance Runner (Parentheses Included)

I have never been lonely on a long run - alone often - yet never lonely. It seems to me that long distance running broadens the sense of self to the point where the self itself (bear with me here) becomes irrelevant - or better yet - non-existence. Our sense of self is in actuality illusory - we are concepts bundled within an image that quickly fades under the light of contemplation. Who we think we are involves the ego - who we really are involves only spirit. Running far, running really far, strips us of ego (if only momentarily - yet that freedom lingers, it lingers....) and we find ourselves free of self (it makes sense of you don't think too hard about it) and free of concepts that bind us within ordinary borders. In short we become extra -ordinary. Or better yet (and far more accurate) we become our true Selves - a Self where we find that there is nowhere where we leave off and the world begins there is only the Infinite - and the motion of the run that takes us there. 

Peace,
Eric

Race Report - Blues Cruise 50k Trail Race 2013

Sunday was my first running of the Blues Cruise 50k Trail run in Pennsylvania. It's a beautiful run consisting f one large loop around Blue Marsh Lake - a man made lake just north of Reading Pa. The idea of one loop around the lake really appealed to me and was a big factor in signing up. Unfortunately there weren't many sightings of the actual lake - yet the few  we saw were breathtaking and well worth the wait. The trails themselves wander through typical Pennsylvania country - which is to say beautiful and rugged. This is some of my favorite country to run through. Untypical for this are were the fairly nontechnical trails - not too many roots and not too rocky. Very nice for my tired feet which have taken a beating from the last few races. This made for some fine running and helped offset the surprisingly summer like heat and the unrelenting hills that made up the majority of the course. None of the hills by themselves were "deal breakers" but there were plenty of them and they added up through the course of the day. I ran using the Galloway method of 2:30 of running and :30 of walking and this allowed me to run many of the hills that I might have normally walked and made for a great workout by the end of the day.
There were 7 aid stations on the course and each one had a different theme with volunteers wearing different costumes - this definitely helped the day pass and their enthusiasm and top-notch aid service made each station a pleasure to run into. Aches and pains were easily forgotten in the fun. Thanks guys!
Again I used Tailwind Nutrition as my primary fuel along with 4 or 5 banana quarters and it worked great in the heat and helped me bring the race in at around 6:31 feeling pretty fresh and happy. What left me a little unhappy were the bee stings - 3 of them - again. It's not the bee stings themselves that are so bad (ok, they hurt) it's the two weeks of itching that make me take things a little personally. Fortunately the were wasps and wasps don't die after they sting - they just go one and sting some more. But I am happy they don't die even if one was responsible for stinging me twice. I believe this brings the total up to 14 stings for the year - that may be a PR.
So to sum things up - beautiful course, fun aid stations and a terrific group of runners made for a perfect day. Including the bee stings. It's not a trail race without a little misadventure.

Peace,
Eric

Thank You For This Time

It's been a long day - lots of miles in hot conditions and my bed is calling. I wanted to leave a few words here however before retiring. Writing here brings me a sense of connection with my creative self, my spiritual self and to those who wish to join me for a few moments. It's this opportunity that I cherish and helps keep me focused on the truly important issues of my life. With that in mind a big thank you to all who take the time to read.

Peace,
Eric

Training Thoughts

Today will begin a modest streak of daily running until it is time to taper for the Croatan 24 Hour Endurance Run November 9th. The goal - barring schedule conflict and aches and pains - is to get my legs used to the idea that this is what they're made for - to move and keep moving. This is the last "big" race of the year and I hope to go out with a major distance PR. I'm putting no pressure on myself however - the plan is to move easy and move often. Tomorrow will be Blues Cruise 50k and a good day there will certainly add to my training. Stay tuned and thanks for reading!

Peace,
Eric

Goverment Shutdown Rant

I try not to get political when I write about politics - by that I mean I don't wish to see things in a narrow perspective designed by media and political parties. I like to be informed and I like to listen to all sides even if my instincts point me in the opposite direction. Everyone has a valid opinion by virtue of their existence and feelings yet not everyone has valid facts. Including me. I do try though and I do try to not let my biases influence my listening skills. Sometimes I fail. Maybe often I fail.
The government shutdown is a good example and a perfect opportunity for me to practice patience and careful listening. I accept that there is fear of a federal government over-reach with the new heath care law. Yet many facts show that far from being harmful this law will help millions of people who are in desperate need for such care. So where do we compromise? My thoughts - on this issue - is that we don't. It's a law - unpopular with some and much needed by others. Need and aid trumps popularity with me. There are issues with the law for certain and these issues I am sure will be addressed and corrected and this can and should be done in due process. Many laws have come to pass with a rough start and unpopular beginning. As a people we worked through the issues. We will this time too. To my friends and family who have been affected by the government shutdown - I'm sorry. Please contact your Congressman and Senator and ask for action. As Albert Einstein once said -" nothing changes until something moves." It's time we move as a united people.

Peace,
Eric

Few Words



Few words
Breathed
Against
Me –
And I become your
Page.


~

 

 

 

On all sides - the Infinite breaths against us. We are an empty page and creation seeks to write its story large and bold. Be open. Be inspired. The story is larger than us all yet each of us essential, unique and co-authors through it all. Be breathed by the Infinite and lay graceful on the page.

 

Peace,

Eric

Racing

The Blues Cruise 50k Trail Race is this weekend and once again I'll be hitting the trails with fairly tired legs. Training hard for Croatan 24 Hour Endurance Run and I only want to taper so much for smaller races right now. Having said that I will take a day or two off to be somewhat fresher than previous recent races. I also want to return to Galloway's method (run/walk/run) and be a little more strict in my adherence. I recently read that Galloway himself ran a 4:15 marathon (Air Force) using :30 of running and :15 of running - at the age of 68 and not to far from a recent surgery. That's impressive. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Right now the plan will be 1:30 of running with :30 walk breaks until near the end wear I hope to run it in a little harder. If all goes well I'll try the same (possibly) for a road marathon the following week. Stay tuned.

Peace,
Eric

A Good Thing And A Bad Thing

Today the new health care law goes into effect. Regardless of politics lets all pray that it's a success - a successful program means that millions of people with out health care benefits will get the help they need and deserve. That's a good thing. That's a great thing. We all have different opinions on political issues and that's actually a good thing too - and we should all be heard. Yet no law that has been passed and has the potential to help so many should be blocked. That's not a good thing.

Peace,
Eric